When was Basil of Caesarea born and who were his parents?
Basil of Caesarea was born around 330 into a wealthy Cappadocian Greek family. His father was Basil the Elder and his mother was Emmelia of Caesarea.
Questions about Basil of Caesarea
Short answers, pulled from the story.
What happened to Basil of Caesarea in 357 during his travels?
In 357, Basil of Caesarea encountered Eustathius of Sebaste who mentored him during travels to Palestine, Egypt, Syria, and Mesopotamia. After his baptism, he distributed his family fortune among the poor and briefly lived in solitude near Neocaesarea on the Iris River.
On what date did Basil of Caesarea become bishop of Caesarea?
Eusebius died in 370 and Basil of Caesarea was consecrated bishop on the 14th of June 370. This position gave him powers as exarch of Pontus and metropolitan of five suffragan bishops.
How did Basil of Caesarea respond when Emperor Valens sent prefect Modestus to negotiate with Arian factions?
Basil of Caesarea adamantly refused compromise when Emperor Valens sent prefect Modestus to negotiate with Arian factions. He replied that perhaps Modestus had never dealt with a bishop after Modestus reported back that no one had ever spoken to him that way before.
What desalination technique is attributed to Basil of Caesarea in his writings from 368?
One homily by Basil of Caesarea describes sailors obtaining fresh water through desalination techniques where they hung sponges over vessels with boiling seawater to collect condensed vapor. This represents one of the earliest descriptions of desalination in history.
When was the Liturgy of Saint Basil composed and how does it differ from the Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom?
Basil of Caesarea composed a liturgy by refining existing forms used in Byzantine Church tradition which is somewhat longer than the more commonly used Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom. The difference lies primarily in silent prayers said by priests and involves use of hymns to the Theotokos called All of Creation instead of those found in John Chrysostom's version.